Winning Through Intimidation by Robert J
Winning Through Intimidation by Robert J
Winning Through Intimidation by Robert J
Ringer
The Theory of Reality:
Reality isnt the way you wish things to be, or the way they appear to be, but the
way they actually are. You either acknowledge reality and use it to your benefit,
or it will automatically work against you.
Most people wish that business took place on a nursery school playground, with fairness
being enforced. The reality is that the game of business is played in a vicious jungle.
3. Theory of Relativity
a. Language is relative and subjective; you have to make sure that you define exactly what
peoples statements really mean.
4. Theory of Relevance
a. The most important factor to consider is whether something is relevant to what youre
trying to accomplish. Work only on things that are relevant.
b. For example, the builders cost is irrelevant to a buyer. All the buyer cares about is cash
flow. Also, whether or not a person is honest is irrelevant. What matters is what he puts
down in writing.
a. In 50 billion years, the sun will burn out and the Earth will be a frozen ice ball. Nothing you
do now could possibly matter then. So dont take yourself too seriously. Life is a game, and
play to win. Theres no reason to be afraid to be aggressive or take chances. The reality is
that theres no way youre going to get out of this thing alive, so why play conservatively.
i. Type 1: Lets you know that hes out to get all of your chips. Then he tries to do just that.
ii. Type 2: Assures you that hes not interested in getting your chips. Then he tries to grab all
of your chips anyway.
iii. Type 3: Assures you that hes not interested in getting your chips, and honestly means it.
However, in the end, he tries to grab all of your chips anyway.
b. In business, no one ever does anything for anybody else without expecting to gain
something in return.
8. Leapfrog Theory
a. A person has no legal or moral obligation or, for that matter, logical reason to work his
way up through the ranks. The quickest way to the top is not by fighting your way through
the pack, it is to leapfrog over the pack and simply proclaim that youre above it. However,
you must be prepared to be above it, or reality will knock you back down.
9. Theory of Intimidation
a. The problems most people have in reaching their objectives revolve around the fact that
they constantly allow themselves to be intimidated.
b. The results a person obtains are inversely proportional to the degree to which he is
intimidated.
a. Its more efficient to work hard on finding a few makeable deals, rather than working hard
on an endless number of unmakeable deals and clinging to the faint hope that youll
somehow close one. People have a masochistic tendency to work on pie-in-the-sky deals
that have little possibility of closing.
a. Dont say, I can sell the property, say I can do something with the property.
b. Dont call a contract a contract, call it a one-page understanding.
i. Try to avoid looking legal and attracting the attention of the Deal-Killing Attorney.
ii. Ringer would have a contract done and signed on the spot, rather than waiting and
allowing time to pass.
a. The longer a person fiddles around with something, the greater the odds that the result
will be negative. Time is always against you when trying to make a dealany kind of deal.
a. Attorneys are not subject to intimidation like normal people, but if you cower, they will
smell blood and strike. Instead of being tough or humble, play it cool. Be calm and matter of
fact. Adopt an air that indicates you have no concern over the deal, that everyone knew the
deal would happen.
i. Problems dont represent obstacles to the closing, but just normal points which had to
be handled as a natural part of every deal.
ii. Thats a darn good point. Im glad you brought that up. Here are many ways we can
handle that particular point. The only reason all are gathered is to handle the normal
points that always come up.
iii. As a last resort, indicate the willingness to walk away. Well, I guess thats it. It looks like
we just cant make this one happen.
a. There will almost always be several major undisclosed deal-killers that pop up at the 1yard line. Soften the blow by setting expectations with the buyer ahead of time. That way,
the dirty laundry reinforces your posture of expertise.
a. The best way to bluff is not to bluff. Wealthy people are good bluffers because when they
threaten to walk away, they mean it. They cant be intimidated.
b. If youre not wealthy, the best substitute is guts. Its more painful, but it works. Draw a
clear line, and stick to it.